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Half Moon Bay #1
A Fall to Remember
If you love cozy small-town settings, swoon-worthy autumn vibes, second-chance romance, and The Gilmore Girls, pour yourself a pumpkin spice latte, and curl up with A Fall to Remember.
Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation―a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that's been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.
As golden leaves fall and the scent of apple cider fills the air, Miranda finds that being yourself is harder than it looks―especially when she's falling for Jim. But when she learns his job depends on this campaign's success, she must decide: are his feelings real, or is she just part of his marketing plan?
A cozy, heartwarming romance that celebrates second chances and finding love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Julia Olivia and Misty Wilson.
Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation―a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that's been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.
As golden leaves fall and the scent of apple cider fills the air, Miranda finds that being yourself is harder than it looks―especially when she's falling for Jim. But when she learns his job depends on this campaign's success, she must decide: are his feelings real, or is she just part of his marketing plan?
A cozy, heartwarming romance that celebrates second chances and finding love when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of Laurie Gilmore, Julia Olivia and Misty Wilson.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Ellie Alexander
93 books3,261 followersEllie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.
Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
September 1, 2026
REVIEW TO COME💕🍂!!!!!!!!
🥧🧸🍂I know it's still summer, but I'm missing fall🥧🧸🍂!!!!!!!
🥧🧸🍂I know it's still summer, but I'm missing fall🥧🧸🍂!!!!!!!
August 15, 2026
A Fall to Remember was such a cute and cozy fall read! The story follows Miranda, who goes on vacation and ends up posting some pretty horrible pictures. Her son Pete and niece Elise share them on social media, unexpectedly catching the attention of a travel company. Miranda eventually agrees to work with the company alongside Jim and Shelby, leading to a fun and heartwarming story.
I really enjoyed the fall atmosphere and the lighthearted feel of the book. It was an adorable seasonal read that would be perfect to pick up on a cozy autumn day. My only complaint is that I really wish Elise had found love too! 🍂❤️
Overall, a fun, charming, and easy fall read that I really enjoyed!
I really enjoyed the fall atmosphere and the lighthearted feel of the book. It was an adorable seasonal read that would be perfect to pick up on a cozy autumn day. My only complaint is that I really wish Elise had found love too! 🍂❤️
Overall, a fun, charming, and easy fall read that I really enjoyed!
Did Not Finish
July 23, 2026DNF. I like this author's mysteries, but this one isn't working for me. There are too many POVs and the writing is meh.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review <3
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Did Not Finish
September 1, 2026Thank you storm publishing for the gift of reading this book.
The premise was very intriguing which promised a cozy read for autumn vibes. Small town read. However when the chapter moved to the son’s POV, it left me confused. Then the next chapter was the other MMC, ok, I knew it was going to be that guy, but then the very next chapter was different female POV.
It just seemed there was too much crammed in to the beginning 4 chapters and was not interesting enough to keep me reading.
Also, as someone who is in the exact age bracket of the mother, she is painted in such an older golden girls age vibe that I’m mildly offended.
The premise was very intriguing which promised a cozy read for autumn vibes. Small town read. However when the chapter moved to the son’s POV, it left me confused. Then the next chapter was the other MMC, ok, I knew it was going to be that guy, but then the very next chapter was different female POV.
It just seemed there was too much crammed in to the beginning 4 chapters and was not interesting enough to keep me reading.
Also, as someone who is in the exact age bracket of the mother, she is painted in such an older golden girls age vibe that I’m mildly offended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Did Not Finish
August 10, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sadly I had to DNF this. The book did have a great vibe with its cozy coastal feel and vivid fall descriptions. I also liked that the main characters were “older”. However, I didn’t really like these characters which made it hard for me to get invested in their stories. The writing was very repetitive and the story was really slow moving. The multiple POV’s, which I normally like, felt clunky and awkward. I appreciate receiving the arc but A Fall To Remember wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.
Sadly I had to DNF this. The book did have a great vibe with its cozy coastal feel and vivid fall descriptions. I also liked that the main characters were “older”. However, I didn’t really like these characters which made it hard for me to get invested in their stories. The writing was very repetitive and the story was really slow moving. The multiple POV’s, which I normally like, felt clunky and awkward. I appreciate receiving the arc but A Fall To Remember wasn’t for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Did you ever have an unexpected encounter at an airport? Miranda Brown's rare getaway to Catalina Island is over, and now it's time for her to return home and resume work at the family-owned boutique grocery store and deli in Half Moon Bay. The Green Grocer, a cherished family business for three generations, is now run by Miranda, her son Pete, and her niece. Instead of discussing her trip or catching up on store happenings, Pete and her niece can't wait to reveal that Miranda's travel photos have become a viral meme, making her an unexpected internet sensation. What unfolds next is a whirlwind of surprises that none of them could have predicted.
The story unfolds through the distinct perspectives of Miranda, Pete, Jim, and Shelby. Each chapter is clearly labeled by POV, allowing readers to experience the unfolding events and emotions through each character's unique lens. This approach creates seamless, immersive storytelling that draws you deeper into their world.
Ellie Alexander's writing shines with vibrant, evocative descriptions that effortlessly transport you to Half Moon Bay. The settings come alive in vivid color and detail, while the characters are crafted with remarkable depth—each shaped by their unique backgrounds, personal struggles, and hopes. As you turn the pages, it feels as if you're stepping into a cinematic autumn, surrounded by all the sights, scents, and emotions the season brings. The narrative invites you to reflect on your own connections to the characters' journeys and imagine what you might do in their place. Relationships—whether between mother and son, aunt and niece, cousins, coworkers, or project teammates—are explored in a way that feels both real and heartfelt, making the story's emotional core truly resonate.
This novel exceeded every expectation in the most delightful way. If I could give it more than five stars, I would—it's that magical. Don't hesitate to add this book to your tbr list; it's a story you won't want to miss.
I also highly recommend reading the author's Dedication, and if you want even more insight into the inspiration behind this charming story, don't miss A Letter From the Author. Both provide a wonderful glimpse into the heart and creativity that went into this novel.
Thank you to Ellie Alexander, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
The story unfolds through the distinct perspectives of Miranda, Pete, Jim, and Shelby. Each chapter is clearly labeled by POV, allowing readers to experience the unfolding events and emotions through each character's unique lens. This approach creates seamless, immersive storytelling that draws you deeper into their world.
Ellie Alexander's writing shines with vibrant, evocative descriptions that effortlessly transport you to Half Moon Bay. The settings come alive in vivid color and detail, while the characters are crafted with remarkable depth—each shaped by their unique backgrounds, personal struggles, and hopes. As you turn the pages, it feels as if you're stepping into a cinematic autumn, surrounded by all the sights, scents, and emotions the season brings. The narrative invites you to reflect on your own connections to the characters' journeys and imagine what you might do in their place. Relationships—whether between mother and son, aunt and niece, cousins, coworkers, or project teammates—are explored in a way that feels both real and heartfelt, making the story's emotional core truly resonate.
This novel exceeded every expectation in the most delightful way. If I could give it more than five stars, I would—it's that magical. Don't hesitate to add this book to your tbr list; it's a story you won't want to miss.
I also highly recommend reading the author's Dedication, and if you want even more insight into the inspiration behind this charming story, don't miss A Letter From the Author. Both provide a wonderful glimpse into the heart and creativity that went into this novel.
Thank you to Ellie Alexander, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel.
August 22, 2026
A definitive 4.5 stars!!
Thank you NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for the ARC and for bringing Fall into my life a little bit early🍁🍂.
Because Fall is my favorite season, this story brought a sweet, heartwarming, endearing, and cozy feeling to me. This book is a fun, happy, cozy, rom-com that takes place in a California beach side town. It is definitely worth taking a trip to enjoy every minute of its beauty and charm.
The characters are creative, funny, artsy, sensitive, interesting, and sentimental. They brought through an emotional connection to the story.
Ellie, you did a wonderful job creating a story that will live on in my heart and mind. Thank you for that🥰🥰. So…
Read and Enjoy😊😊!!
Thank you NetGalley and Ellie Alexander for the ARC and for bringing Fall into my life a little bit early🍁🍂.
Because Fall is my favorite season, this story brought a sweet, heartwarming, endearing, and cozy feeling to me. This book is a fun, happy, cozy, rom-com that takes place in a California beach side town. It is definitely worth taking a trip to enjoy every minute of its beauty and charm.
The characters are creative, funny, artsy, sensitive, interesting, and sentimental. They brought through an emotional connection to the story.
Ellie, you did a wonderful job creating a story that will live on in my heart and mind. Thank you for that🥰🥰. So…
Read and Enjoy😊😊!!
August 20, 2026
Thank you to Ellie Alexander and Storm Publishing for an eARC of this book on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Favourite tropes:
- Small town - give me a beautiful small town in autumn and I am sold
- Autumn vibes - deserves its own line as I am a sucker for all things autumn!
- Second chance romance - an FMC and MMC who are around 40 - yes please!
This was a cosy romance set in the beautiful Half Moon Bay, a seaside Californian town with dreamy autumn vibes. The setting was easily my favourite thing about the book - Ellie’s descriptions were so vivid and I could picture myself right there with the characters. If Half Moon Bay existed, I’d already be there.
We get four POVs - Miranda (single mum who runs a shop in Half Moon Bay), Pete (Miranda’s son, who works remotely from Half Moon Bay and is secretly looking for his father), Jim (a Voyager employee trying to make Miranda into the next Internet sensation) and Shelby (another Voyager employee with a very specific vision and a secret of her own). I’ve never seen this many POVs in a romance book and I actually quite liked it. It kept the story moving and we got a real insight into all of the main characters and their motivations.
Despite the predictability of the overall plot (no complaints from me, it’s what I’m here for), the addition of social media influencers and viral sensations made this feel fresh and kept it interesting, especially having a slightly older woman as the main character!
Overall, the book was a fun read but a couple of things stopped it from being a higher rating. First, the degree of insta love - I don’t mind instant attraction but the ‘love’ felt quite underdeveloped for me, especially with the focus on social media and the four POVs drawing time away from the two romances. Second, there was some miscommunication. While it was fairly mild, having the four POVs meant we could see exactly who needed to speak to who to sort it all out which I found mildly frustrating. I still enjoyed the book and would probably pick up the next one though!
If you love a cosy autumn read (no spice) and are up for a fresh take, this book could be for you!
Favourite tropes:
- Small town - give me a beautiful small town in autumn and I am sold
- Autumn vibes - deserves its own line as I am a sucker for all things autumn!
- Second chance romance - an FMC and MMC who are around 40 - yes please!
This was a cosy romance set in the beautiful Half Moon Bay, a seaside Californian town with dreamy autumn vibes. The setting was easily my favourite thing about the book - Ellie’s descriptions were so vivid and I could picture myself right there with the characters. If Half Moon Bay existed, I’d already be there.
We get four POVs - Miranda (single mum who runs a shop in Half Moon Bay), Pete (Miranda’s son, who works remotely from Half Moon Bay and is secretly looking for his father), Jim (a Voyager employee trying to make Miranda into the next Internet sensation) and Shelby (another Voyager employee with a very specific vision and a secret of her own). I’ve never seen this many POVs in a romance book and I actually quite liked it. It kept the story moving and we got a real insight into all of the main characters and their motivations.
Despite the predictability of the overall plot (no complaints from me, it’s what I’m here for), the addition of social media influencers and viral sensations made this feel fresh and kept it interesting, especially having a slightly older woman as the main character!
Overall, the book was a fun read but a couple of things stopped it from being a higher rating. First, the degree of insta love - I don’t mind instant attraction but the ‘love’ felt quite underdeveloped for me, especially with the focus on social media and the four POVs drawing time away from the two romances. Second, there was some miscommunication. While it was fairly mild, having the four POVs meant we could see exactly who needed to speak to who to sort it all out which I found mildly frustrating. I still enjoyed the book and would probably pick up the next one though!
If you love a cosy autumn read (no spice) and are up for a fresh take, this book could be for you!
September 2, 2026
A Fall to Remember was exactly the kind of warm, cozy fall escape I needed. Most of the story takes place over one magical fall weekend, and honestly, it felt like I got to take my own little getaway without ever leaving home. Between the small town setting, fall festival, apple cider, food, and all those golden autumn vibes, this book completely transported me.
I especially loved the different storylines woven throughout the weekend. Miranda and Jim’s romance was sweet, tender, and wonderfully mature, which was such a refreshing change from the twenty something romances we see so often. There’s something especially lovely about watching two adults find connection and possibly a second chance at love while navigating very real life circumstances. I also enjoyed the storyline involving Miranda’s son Pete and Shelby, which added another layer of heart to the story.
If you’re already a fan of Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop series, you’ll recognize those same warm, foodie filled vibes here. In fact, I kept thinking that Jules from the Bakeshop series and Miranda would absolutely be friends. That familiar sense of community, comfort, food, and people you genuinely want to spend time with made this feel like a natural companion to that series while still standing completely on its own.
By the time I reached the end, I found myself hoping this might be the beginning of another series. There are definitely characters and relationships here that I’d happily spend more time with, and I’m not ready to leave this little corner of Half Moon Bay just yet.
If you’re looking for a sweet, tender romance that feels like a cozy fall weekend away, A Fall to Remember is a lovely choice. Come for the autumn atmosphere and foodie vibes, stay for the romance and the characters who feel like people you’d actually want to know.
Perfect for Readers Who Love
* Cozy small town fall settings
* Mature romance
* Fall festivals and autumn getaways
* Foodie filled stories
* Sweet and tender romances
* Family storylines alongside romance
* Warm, community centered reads
August 26, 2026
𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: 2.5⭐️
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮𝓼, 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 & 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓼 𐙚⋆.˚
★ Clean Romance
★ Small Town
★ He Falls First
★ Found Family
★ Second Chance
★ Multiple POVs
★ Perfect Fall Vibes 🍁
࣪ ִֶָ☾. ✨ 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ❣️ .𖥔 ݁ ˖
Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation―a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that's been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁݁ . ⊹💌 𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 🧸ྀི☁️⊹ . ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
A Fall To Remember gave all the cozy fall vibes! We follow Miranda as she goes on vacation, takes a few photos, that end up being posted by her son Pete, and becomes an internet sensation. She ends up being contacted by a travel company and working with Jim and Shelby.
I liked that the story is told through four POVs: Jim, Miranda, Pete and Shelby. We get two couples in one book which is very nice!
The fall vibes were certainly there. I think this book is perfect if you’re looking for something cozy and heartwarming to read this fall.
It was a very easy and short read.
Sadly, I didn’t really enjoy how quirky Miranda was. It was supposed to be wholesome but, in my opinion, it bordered on ridiculous and I couldn’t stop myself from cringing. She seemed to be completely oblivious the whole time. That’s what made my rating so low.
One of the characters said; “We can all use a little bit of cheesy these days” but this was too much for me!
𝙎𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇: No spice
💝Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Ellie Alexander for the ARC💝
𝜗𝜚⋆₊˚ 𝓖𝓮𝓷𝓻𝓮𝓼, 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 & 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓼 𐙚⋆.˚
★ Clean Romance
★ Small Town
★ He Falls First
★ Found Family
★ Second Chance
★ Multiple POVs
★ Perfect Fall Vibes 🍁
࣪ ִֶָ☾. ✨ 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ❣️ .𖥔 ݁ ˖
Miranda Brown never meant to become famous. She just wanted a quiet vacation―a rare break from running The Green Grocer, the cozy market that's been the heart of Half Moon Bay, California, for three generations. But when her spectacularly terrible travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her authentic, imperfect magic on camera.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁݁ . ⊹💌 𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 🧸ྀི☁️⊹ . ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
A Fall To Remember gave all the cozy fall vibes! We follow Miranda as she goes on vacation, takes a few photos, that end up being posted by her son Pete, and becomes an internet sensation. She ends up being contacted by a travel company and working with Jim and Shelby.
I liked that the story is told through four POVs: Jim, Miranda, Pete and Shelby. We get two couples in one book which is very nice!
The fall vibes were certainly there. I think this book is perfect if you’re looking for something cozy and heartwarming to read this fall.
It was a very easy and short read.
Sadly, I didn’t really enjoy how quirky Miranda was. It was supposed to be wholesome but, in my opinion, it bordered on ridiculous and I couldn’t stop myself from cringing. She seemed to be completely oblivious the whole time. That’s what made my rating so low.
One of the characters said; “We can all use a little bit of cheesy these days” but this was too much for me!
𝙎𝙋𝙄𝘾𝙀 𝙇𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙇: No spice
💝Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Ellie Alexander for the ARC💝
September 1, 2026
C'est ma première romance de l'autrice dont je découvre donc le 1er tome de sa saga Half Moon Bay. Nous allons avoir une romance toute douce qui se déroule à l'automne et avec différents points de vues. On passe un agréable moment et je ne dis pas non à la suite.
Miranda Brown est notre héroïne d'une cinquantaine d'année. Elle revient de vacances, dont elle avait grand besoin, et un incident à l'aéroport va devenir viral grâce ou à cause de son fils Pete et de sa nièce Elise. Elle ne sait pas prendre de grandes photos et pourtant, ces deux là vont les mettre en scène et attirer le regard de deux influenceurs voyages, Jim et Shelby. Elle est l'heureuse propriétaire du Green Grocer et cette boutique se transmet de générations en générations. Il s’avère que l'homme sur lequel elle a renversé son café n'est autre que Jim. Elle ne maitrise pas les nouvelles technologies et c'est ce côté "old school" qui la rend charmante. Elle ferait tout pour son fils et j'ai adoré la voir tomber amoureuse et penser un peu à elle.
Nous aurons donc cette ambiance un peu cosy, un festival est un pleine préparation et vous vous doutez bien que dans cette petite ville, tout se sait. Les 4 POV donnent une autre dimension au récit et on va aussi succomber à la romance qui se mettra en place entre Pete et Shelby. Je dois avouer que cette dernière m'a quelque peu agacée par moments. On voit clairement les différences de générations et l'impact des réseaux sociaux. Si Miranda est terre à terre, les plus jeunes veulent leur moment de gloire et les apparences priment plus que la réalité. J'ai aimé qu'on ait deux couples d'âges différents car cela donne un truc en plus à ces deux romances.
Bref, l'ambiance est posée, cette ville est accueillante et on a envie d'en savoir plus sur ses habitants. Le prochain tome se focaliserait il sur Elise? Une bonne petite lecture rafraîchissante.
Miranda Brown est notre héroïne d'une cinquantaine d'année. Elle revient de vacances, dont elle avait grand besoin, et un incident à l'aéroport va devenir viral grâce ou à cause de son fils Pete et de sa nièce Elise. Elle ne sait pas prendre de grandes photos et pourtant, ces deux là vont les mettre en scène et attirer le regard de deux influenceurs voyages, Jim et Shelby. Elle est l'heureuse propriétaire du Green Grocer et cette boutique se transmet de générations en générations. Il s’avère que l'homme sur lequel elle a renversé son café n'est autre que Jim. Elle ne maitrise pas les nouvelles technologies et c'est ce côté "old school" qui la rend charmante. Elle ferait tout pour son fils et j'ai adoré la voir tomber amoureuse et penser un peu à elle.
Nous aurons donc cette ambiance un peu cosy, un festival est un pleine préparation et vous vous doutez bien que dans cette petite ville, tout se sait. Les 4 POV donnent une autre dimension au récit et on va aussi succomber à la romance qui se mettra en place entre Pete et Shelby. Je dois avouer que cette dernière m'a quelque peu agacée par moments. On voit clairement les différences de générations et l'impact des réseaux sociaux. Si Miranda est terre à terre, les plus jeunes veulent leur moment de gloire et les apparences priment plus que la réalité. J'ai aimé qu'on ait deux couples d'âges différents car cela donne un truc en plus à ces deux romances.
Bref, l'ambiance est posée, cette ville est accueillante et on a envie d'en savoir plus sur ses habitants. Le prochain tome se focaliserait il sur Elise? Une bonne petite lecture rafraîchissante.
September 1, 2026
2.25 ⭐️
The story follows Miranda, a single mom whose vacation photos go viral which leads her to be paired up with Jim and Shelby for a campaign. And what begins with a professional collaboration turns into something more. Alongside Miranda and Jim’s story we also follow Miranda’s son Pete and Shelby who starts developing feelings for each other as well.
I really wanted to love this one because it had so much potential to be a new small town cozy fall favorite, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. The fall vibes were there sure and it was quite a cozy atmosphere but I just couldn’t connect with the characters… or feel much for their relationships.
I think the biggest issue was that both couples story took place in the same book. We had 4 different POVs which was a shame in my opinion. If this would have been only Miranda and Jim’s story and the other couple got their own book it would have given both relationships so much more room to develop and it would have given space to dive deeper into the characters.
I also found that the multiple POVs made the writing a little repetitive at times, especially when certain scenes were explained multiple times. I personally find that boring if we have to relive the scenes more than once just to have it explained from different characters views.
Overall, I think the potential was there like I said, and the fall vibes was good! Very good even. I just wish the story had been more developed just so I could have connected to the characters and their relationships more! Except for the multiple POVs thing I do feel like the writing felt natural and it was a quick and easy read for sure! 🍂🍂
Thank you to Netgalley and Ellie Alexander for this eARC 🤍
The story follows Miranda, a single mom whose vacation photos go viral which leads her to be paired up with Jim and Shelby for a campaign. And what begins with a professional collaboration turns into something more. Alongside Miranda and Jim’s story we also follow Miranda’s son Pete and Shelby who starts developing feelings for each other as well.
I really wanted to love this one because it had so much potential to be a new small town cozy fall favorite, but unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me. The fall vibes were there sure and it was quite a cozy atmosphere but I just couldn’t connect with the characters… or feel much for their relationships.
I think the biggest issue was that both couples story took place in the same book. We had 4 different POVs which was a shame in my opinion. If this would have been only Miranda and Jim’s story and the other couple got their own book it would have given both relationships so much more room to develop and it would have given space to dive deeper into the characters.
I also found that the multiple POVs made the writing a little repetitive at times, especially when certain scenes were explained multiple times. I personally find that boring if we have to relive the scenes more than once just to have it explained from different characters views.
Overall, I think the potential was there like I said, and the fall vibes was good! Very good even. I just wish the story had been more developed just so I could have connected to the characters and their relationships more! Except for the multiple POVs thing I do feel like the writing felt natural and it was a quick and easy read for sure! 🍂🍂
Thank you to Netgalley and Ellie Alexander for this eARC 🤍
August 31, 2026
If you’re a fan of cozy small towns, autumn vibes, second-chance romance, and that Gilmore Girls kind of comfort, A Fall to Remember is such a lovely read to pick up this time of year.
I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere in Half Moon Bay. There’s something about harvest festivals, apple cider, falling leaves, and a cozy family-run market that just makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a pumpkin spice latte. ☕️🍁
Miranda is a character I really liked. She’s not trying to be famous or become an internet sensation — she just wants a quiet break from the life she’s built around The Green Grocer. Then, thanks to her hilariously bad travel photos going viral, everything changes.
Enter Jim. He’s charming, handsome, and there’s definitely a spark between him and Miranda. But with his career depending on the success of the travel campaign, Miranda has to wonder whether what’s growing between them is genuine or simply part of the job.
What I especially liked was that this is a sweet, clean, closed-door romance, with plenty of heart but no spice. The found-family feeling and Miranda’s relationship with her grown son also added another layer that I really enjoyed.
There’s a warm, comforting quality to this book that makes it perfect for an autumn reading day. 🍂 It’s the kind of story you can settle into when you want something wholesome, romantic, and feel-good.
If you love cozy romances with autumn charm, small-town friendships, family, and a little bit of Gilmore Girls energy, this one is definitely worth adding to your fall TBR. ❤️
I really enjoyed the small-town atmosphere in Half Moon Bay. There’s something about harvest festivals, apple cider, falling leaves, and a cozy family-run market that just makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a pumpkin spice latte. ☕️🍁
Miranda is a character I really liked. She’s not trying to be famous or become an internet sensation — she just wants a quiet break from the life she’s built around The Green Grocer. Then, thanks to her hilariously bad travel photos going viral, everything changes.
Enter Jim. He’s charming, handsome, and there’s definitely a spark between him and Miranda. But with his career depending on the success of the travel campaign, Miranda has to wonder whether what’s growing between them is genuine or simply part of the job.
What I especially liked was that this is a sweet, clean, closed-door romance, with plenty of heart but no spice. The found-family feeling and Miranda’s relationship with her grown son also added another layer that I really enjoyed.
There’s a warm, comforting quality to this book that makes it perfect for an autumn reading day. 🍂 It’s the kind of story you can settle into when you want something wholesome, romantic, and feel-good.
If you love cozy romances with autumn charm, small-town friendships, family, and a little bit of Gilmore Girls energy, this one is definitely worth adding to your fall TBR. ❤️
August 26, 2026
I would like to thank NetGalley and the author, Ellie Alexander for this ARC. I consider it an honor and a privilege.
If you are looking for a fall book to cozy up to with a big cup of tea or coffee, this is it.
This book takes place in Half Moon Bay, California. I actually grew up about an hour and a half away from Half Moon Bay and have only fond memories. It is a beautiful place to visit. The town is just as wonderful as the author has described it. If you ever get the chance to visit, please do.
I was so in love with Miranda and Jim’s story. I loved them together from the meeting at the airport all the way to their HEA. Their story was so cute and I always looked forward to their chapters in the book.
I was surprised by Pete and Shelby because of how harsh Shelby came across during much of the book. She may have been pretty but she was a hard character to like and seemed pretty conniving. I’ve worked the corporate world (in nearby San Francisco no less) and I have worked with types like her. They are not pleasant and are selfish. I really wish Pete could’ve found someone else, to be honest. As much as the author tried to make her seem nice at times, I still didn’t like her and I disliked reading her chapters even more.
Other than the Shelby chapters, I absolutely LOVED this book. It is definitely a cozy fall read and I would recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading the others in this series. Minus Shelby.
I gave it 5-stars.
If you are looking for a fall book to cozy up to with a big cup of tea or coffee, this is it.
This book takes place in Half Moon Bay, California. I actually grew up about an hour and a half away from Half Moon Bay and have only fond memories. It is a beautiful place to visit. The town is just as wonderful as the author has described it. If you ever get the chance to visit, please do.
I was so in love with Miranda and Jim’s story. I loved them together from the meeting at the airport all the way to their HEA. Their story was so cute and I always looked forward to their chapters in the book.
I was surprised by Pete and Shelby because of how harsh Shelby came across during much of the book. She may have been pretty but she was a hard character to like and seemed pretty conniving. I’ve worked the corporate world (in nearby San Francisco no less) and I have worked with types like her. They are not pleasant and are selfish. I really wish Pete could’ve found someone else, to be honest. As much as the author tried to make her seem nice at times, I still didn’t like her and I disliked reading her chapters even more.
Other than the Shelby chapters, I absolutely LOVED this book. It is definitely a cozy fall read and I would recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading the others in this series. Minus Shelby.
I gave it 5-stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2026
I finished this book today and wow wow WOW was it cute!! 🥹 I wanted something to officially bring me into the fall vibes, and this did JUST that. 🍂
Miranda accidentally goes viral after posting her less-than-perfect vacation photos, and suddenly an agency wants her take on her small town’s fall festival. They send out their best people to work with her…but why does one of them seem a little familiar to Miranda?? 👀
This book was fall vibes TO THE MAX. 🍁🎃 It genuinely had me dreaming about crisp fall days, cute little festivals, cozy sweaters and all the autumn things.
I’ve also never read a book with FOUR POVs before, which definitely shocked me at first, but honestly?? It worked SO well. Getting inside each character’s head added so much more to the story and made me feel way more connected to everyone.
And the small-town vibes??? SO CUTE. Exactly what I wanted from a cozy fall read. 🧡
I also LOVED that the MMC and FMC were older and confident in who they were and what they wanted. It was so refreshing to read about characters who felt established in themselves instead of constantly questioning who they were.
If you’re looking for a new fall read, PICK THIS ONE UP ASAP!! 🍂 It’s a new release, it’s adorable, and let’s be real…it’s also going to look SO cute on your fall bookshelf. 🎃📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the early e-ARC! 🧡🍁🎃
Miranda accidentally goes viral after posting her less-than-perfect vacation photos, and suddenly an agency wants her take on her small town’s fall festival. They send out their best people to work with her…but why does one of them seem a little familiar to Miranda?? 👀
This book was fall vibes TO THE MAX. 🍁🎃 It genuinely had me dreaming about crisp fall days, cute little festivals, cozy sweaters and all the autumn things.
I’ve also never read a book with FOUR POVs before, which definitely shocked me at first, but honestly?? It worked SO well. Getting inside each character’s head added so much more to the story and made me feel way more connected to everyone.
And the small-town vibes??? SO CUTE. Exactly what I wanted from a cozy fall read. 🧡
I also LOVED that the MMC and FMC were older and confident in who they were and what they wanted. It was so refreshing to read about characters who felt established in themselves instead of constantly questioning who they were.
If you’re looking for a new fall read, PICK THIS ONE UP ASAP!! 🍂 It’s a new release, it’s adorable, and let’s be real…it’s also going to look SO cute on your fall bookshelf. 🎃📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the early e-ARC! 🧡🍁🎃
August 5, 2026
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Full transparency, one of the reasons I chose this book is because one of the characters is named Miranda. But also the concept sounded interesting to me (as I am a Gilmore Girls fan and anything small town in the fall gives me those vibes). Unfortunately this book didn’t capture my attention the way I’d hoped.
The writing style was descriptive but repetitive- either repeating the exact same phrases or saying the same thing in very similar ways. When it comes to romance novels I am all for cheesy, but in an intentional non-cringey way. Sometimes things felt cheesy for the sake of being cheesy. Not to mention the insanely rushed timeline for all of it.
There were multiple points of view, which isn’t always a problem on its own and I think it helped me get to know the characters better which I appreciated, but I almost wonder if maybe this could have been separated into two separate books somehow instead of playing out multiple stories in one.
There also was unfinished business on Pete’s end, and with how many times the conflict was brought up throughout the book it would have been nice to see some resolution for him (and Miranda).
Full transparency, one of the reasons I chose this book is because one of the characters is named Miranda. But also the concept sounded interesting to me (as I am a Gilmore Girls fan and anything small town in the fall gives me those vibes). Unfortunately this book didn’t capture my attention the way I’d hoped.
The writing style was descriptive but repetitive- either repeating the exact same phrases or saying the same thing in very similar ways. When it comes to romance novels I am all for cheesy, but in an intentional non-cringey way. Sometimes things felt cheesy for the sake of being cheesy. Not to mention the insanely rushed timeline for all of it.
There were multiple points of view, which isn’t always a problem on its own and I think it helped me get to know the characters better which I appreciated, but I almost wonder if maybe this could have been separated into two separate books somehow instead of playing out multiple stories in one.
There also was unfinished business on Pete’s end, and with how many times the conflict was brought up throughout the book it would have been nice to see some resolution for him (and Miranda).
August 16, 2026
I requested this ARC because I love fall romances, and the Half Moon Bay setting immediately caught my attention, especially since my family is from the area. I also loved seeing the Pumpkin Festival featured, since it is such a big part of the real Half Moon Bay and made the setting feel especially fun and timely.
Unfortunately, the story itself did not quite work for me. There were a lot of different POVs packed into a relatively short book, which made it difficult for me to feel fully connected to or invested in the characters. I also found the dialogue a little stale at times, and there were quite a few details that felt more like filler than something that moved the story forward.
That said, it was an easy, quick read, and I appreciated the cozy fall atmosphere and the use of the Pumpkin Festival setting. While this one was not a favorite for me, readers looking for a light seasonal romance may still enjoy it.
Unfortunately, the story itself did not quite work for me. There were a lot of different POVs packed into a relatively short book, which made it difficult for me to feel fully connected to or invested in the characters. I also found the dialogue a little stale at times, and there were quite a few details that felt more like filler than something that moved the story forward.
That said, it was an easy, quick read, and I appreciated the cozy fall atmosphere and the use of the Pumpkin Festival setting. While this one was not a favorite for me, readers looking for a light seasonal romance may still enjoy it.
August 14, 2026
Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
3.5ish on this one. It was very cute and I finished her pretty fast too. It did feel kind of hallmarky but in a good way. It was a small town story that gave the vibes of Gilmore Girl’s Stars Hollow. This makes me yearn for fall weather with how hot it is currently. I did feel like with how short this book was the pacing of the love story was too fast. I did like the characters in this one and felt like I rooted for them. This was pretty PG so think a younger audience could read this. Overall I enjoyed it and would potentially read another in the series.
3.5ish on this one. It was very cute and I finished her pretty fast too. It did feel kind of hallmarky but in a good way. It was a small town story that gave the vibes of Gilmore Girl’s Stars Hollow. This makes me yearn for fall weather with how hot it is currently. I did feel like with how short this book was the pacing of the love story was too fast. I did like the characters in this one and felt like I rooted for them. This was pretty PG so think a younger audience could read this. Overall I enjoyed it and would potentially read another in the series.
August 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-arc
A Fall to Remember was such a sweet, wholesome story and absolute perfection for the cozy season.
I loved the dynamics between Miranda and Jim. Being around their same age made their connection feel so genuine, and I was really able to resonate with their story and perspectives on a personal level.
If you are looking for a quick, easy, and heartwarming read to curl up with as the weather turns cool, this is definitely the one for you. The super short chapters kept the story moving seamlessly and made it almost impossible to put down. A wonderful, comforting autumn read!
A Fall to Remember was such a sweet, wholesome story and absolute perfection for the cozy season.
I loved the dynamics between Miranda and Jim. Being around their same age made their connection feel so genuine, and I was really able to resonate with their story and perspectives on a personal level.
If you are looking for a quick, easy, and heartwarming read to curl up with as the weather turns cool, this is definitely the one for you. The super short chapters kept the story moving seamlessly and made it almost impossible to put down. A wonderful, comforting autumn read!
September 3, 2026
I had high hopes for this one and it was just not it. This author’s cozy mysteries work for me so much better. This is a small town setting and we follow at least 4 different POVs as the story centers around social media accounts and going viral (particularly a 48-year old woman who goes viral after her son shares her recent trip fail pics). It just felt unbelievable and I didn’t care about any of the POVs we follow. The cover is so fall and so cute but sadly the story was just a big miss for me and I was just waiting to get to the end. Audiobook is on hoopla.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
August 21, 2026
This was such a cozy read, with all the perfect fall vibes! 🍂☕️ I loved the idea of a chance encounter leading to a possible perfect match, and a social media experiment that brings two couples together added such a fun twist to the story.
It was sweet, charming, and easy to get lost in. The fall atmosphere made it even more enjoyable, especially with fall just around the corner and I really liked watching the relationships develop along the way.
A great choice if you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with plenty of cozy vibes! 🤍
It was sweet, charming, and easy to get lost in. The fall atmosphere made it even more enjoyable, especially with fall just around the corner and I really liked watching the relationships develop along the way.
A great choice if you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance with plenty of cozy vibes! 🤍
September 1, 2026
What a cute cosy small town read! Perfect for the new autumn season. It really is an easy lovely read definitely worth checking out. 🍂🧡
The characters are well created but I actually really enjoyed Pete over the main FMC Miranda. However, that is personal preference.
💕Cosy small town romances
✨️Older main characters
💭Multi povs
Thank you NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for my copy to review.
The characters are well created but I actually really enjoyed Pete over the main FMC Miranda. However, that is personal preference.
💕Cosy small town romances
✨️Older main characters
💭Multi povs
Thank you NetGalley, the author and Storm Publishing for my copy to review.
July 22, 2026
Thank you to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and author Ellie Alexander for this eARC
If I’d have to sum up A Fall to Remember in one word, it would be “charming”.
The cozy, small town setting that kinda gives off some major Stars Hollow vibes, our adorable MC Miranda, the walking green flag that is our love interest Jim and Mirandas very sweet but shy son Pete. Shelby was the only character I didn’t really vibe with, but there were few enough chapters from her POV, that it did not impact my experience too much.
Which kind leads me to my one real critique of this book - at just under 300 pages, 4 POVs and two love stories was a bit too much. I wish the book had either been longer or that we got a separate book for each couple. At some points it felt a bit rushed as we only got to spend so little time in each characters POV.
Nonetheless a cozy, charming, cute read perfect for fall!
If I’d have to sum up A Fall to Remember in one word, it would be “charming”.
The cozy, small town setting that kinda gives off some major Stars Hollow vibes, our adorable MC Miranda, the walking green flag that is our love interest Jim and Mirandas very sweet but shy son Pete. Shelby was the only character I didn’t really vibe with, but there were few enough chapters from her POV, that it did not impact my experience too much.
Which kind leads me to my one real critique of this book - at just under 300 pages, 4 POVs and two love stories was a bit too much. I wish the book had either been longer or that we got a separate book for each couple. At some points it felt a bit rushed as we only got to spend so little time in each characters POV.
Nonetheless a cozy, charming, cute read perfect for fall!
August 1, 2026
🍁NETGALLEY BOOK REVIEW🍁
Title: A Fall to Remember
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Storm Publishing
Author: Ellie Alexander
Expected Release Date: 09|01|2026
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🚫
Book Type: Standalone
If you can’t tell, I’m so ready for fall! This was the perfect, cozy, small town romance to get me in the mood for the fall season. The second chance trope weaved beautifully in this book and it was a little comical seeing Miranda get jealous at Jim’s fake date. The author did great at describing the environment and each scene perfectly that made it like a movie in my head.
It’s definitely a cozy read with a little banter and drama. Each character was written well along with the story line. If you’re looking to start the fall season right, I’d definitely recommend starting with this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Author Ellie Alexander for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
Title: A Fall to Remember
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Storm Publishing
Author: Ellie Alexander
Expected Release Date: 09|01|2026
Genre: Romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🚫
Book Type: Standalone
If you can’t tell, I’m so ready for fall! This was the perfect, cozy, small town romance to get me in the mood for the fall season. The second chance trope weaved beautifully in this book and it was a little comical seeing Miranda get jealous at Jim’s fake date. The author did great at describing the environment and each scene perfectly that made it like a movie in my head.
It’s definitely a cozy read with a little banter and drama. Each character was written well along with the story line. If you’re looking to start the fall season right, I’d definitely recommend starting with this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Author Ellie Alexander for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.
July 31, 2026
⭐ Rating: 3 Stars.
✨ The Vibe
A cozy, autumn-filled small-town romance brimming with pumpkin spice, harvest festivals, family, second chances, and enough fall charm to make you want to wrap yourself in a blanket with a warm drink.
📚 What the Book Is About (No Spoilers)
When Miranda Brown's hilariously disastrous vacation photos unexpectedly go viral, she's offered the chance to showcase her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival through a travel campaign.
Working alongside photographer Jim Cole, Miranda finds herself rediscovering not only the magic of her small town but also the possibility of opening her heart again. Meanwhile, other members of the community are navigating changes of their own, making this a story about family, finding love again, and finding your place when life doesn't quite go according to plan.
🖤 My Reading Experience
This was such a cozy, feel-good fall read. If you're looking for crisp autumn air, pumpkin spice, charming small-town traditions, and food descriptions that will immediately make you hungry, this book absolutely delivers.
I loved wandering through the Green Grocer, visiting the Fall Harvest Festival, and soaking up all the seasonal atmosphere. Ellie Alexander really knows how to make a fictional town feel warm and welcoming.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the relationship between Miranda and her son, Pete. Their bond felt genuine, supportive, and full of love, and I found myself just as invested in their family dynamic as I was in the romance itself.
The humor was another highlight. The puns sprinkled throughout the story genuinely made me smile, and they added so much charm to the overall reading experience.
Overall, this was an easy book to fly through. It's comforting, wholesome, and exactly the kind of story that pairs perfectly with a cozy afternoon and your favorite fall drink.
💭 What Didn't Fully Work for Me
The biggest thing that didn't quite work for me was the structure of the story. The book rotates between four different points of view, and while I eventually got used to it, I personally found it a little overwhelming.
I tend to prefer one or two perspectives because it allows me to become more invested in the central storyline. Here, I occasionally found myself needing a moment to remember whose perspective I was reading. I also think trying to tell two romances at the same time meant that neither one received quite as much attention as it deserved.
Personally, I would've loved even more time with Miranda and Jim. Their relationship felt unique and refreshing, and I found myself wanting the story to spend more time developing their romance instead of splitting the focus elsewhere.
Shelby's storyline, in particular, didn't fully click for me. It was clear she was carrying a lot of stress and pressure, so I understood why she behaved the way she did at times, but I never felt we explored those struggles deeply enough. As a result, she often came across as unlikeable rather than someone I could truly empathize with. I actually think her story has a lot of potential, but I almost wonder whether it would've been stronger if it had been saved for a future installment instead of trying to share the spotlight here.
One final thing—and this is purely personal preference—I hadn't realized going in that the primary romance followed characters in their fifties. I actually think it's wonderful to see more romances featuring older main characters because love stories don't end at thirty, but I also realized that I personally connect more with romances featuring characters closer to my own age. That's entirely a me thing rather than something the book does wrong.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Small-town romance
- Cozy fall vibes
- Family relationships
- Multiple POVs
🫶 Final Thoughts
A Fall to Remember is exactly what the title promises: warm, comforting, and filled with everything you could want from an autumn romance.
While I would've preferred fewer points of view and a stronger focus on Miranda and Jim's relationship, I still genuinely enjoyed my time in Half Moon Bay. The cozy atmosphere, lovable community, delicious food descriptions, and beautiful fall setting made this such an easy and enjoyable read.
It may not have been the most unique or emotionally memorable romance I've read, but it was charming, comforting, and perfect for getting into the autumn mood.
📖 Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
✨ The Vibe
A cozy, autumn-filled small-town romance brimming with pumpkin spice, harvest festivals, family, second chances, and enough fall charm to make you want to wrap yourself in a blanket with a warm drink.
📚 What the Book Is About (No Spoilers)
When Miranda Brown's hilariously disastrous vacation photos unexpectedly go viral, she's offered the chance to showcase her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival through a travel campaign.
Working alongside photographer Jim Cole, Miranda finds herself rediscovering not only the magic of her small town but also the possibility of opening her heart again. Meanwhile, other members of the community are navigating changes of their own, making this a story about family, finding love again, and finding your place when life doesn't quite go according to plan.
🖤 My Reading Experience
This was such a cozy, feel-good fall read. If you're looking for crisp autumn air, pumpkin spice, charming small-town traditions, and food descriptions that will immediately make you hungry, this book absolutely delivers.
I loved wandering through the Green Grocer, visiting the Fall Harvest Festival, and soaking up all the seasonal atmosphere. Ellie Alexander really knows how to make a fictional town feel warm and welcoming.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the relationship between Miranda and her son, Pete. Their bond felt genuine, supportive, and full of love, and I found myself just as invested in their family dynamic as I was in the romance itself.
The humor was another highlight. The puns sprinkled throughout the story genuinely made me smile, and they added so much charm to the overall reading experience.
Overall, this was an easy book to fly through. It's comforting, wholesome, and exactly the kind of story that pairs perfectly with a cozy afternoon and your favorite fall drink.
💭 What Didn't Fully Work for Me
The biggest thing that didn't quite work for me was the structure of the story. The book rotates between four different points of view, and while I eventually got used to it, I personally found it a little overwhelming.
I tend to prefer one or two perspectives because it allows me to become more invested in the central storyline. Here, I occasionally found myself needing a moment to remember whose perspective I was reading. I also think trying to tell two romances at the same time meant that neither one received quite as much attention as it deserved.
Personally, I would've loved even more time with Miranda and Jim. Their relationship felt unique and refreshing, and I found myself wanting the story to spend more time developing their romance instead of splitting the focus elsewhere.
Shelby's storyline, in particular, didn't fully click for me. It was clear she was carrying a lot of stress and pressure, so I understood why she behaved the way she did at times, but I never felt we explored those struggles deeply enough. As a result, she often came across as unlikeable rather than someone I could truly empathize with. I actually think her story has a lot of potential, but I almost wonder whether it would've been stronger if it had been saved for a future installment instead of trying to share the spotlight here.
One final thing—and this is purely personal preference—I hadn't realized going in that the primary romance followed characters in their fifties. I actually think it's wonderful to see more romances featuring older main characters because love stories don't end at thirty, but I also realized that I personally connect more with romances featuring characters closer to my own age. That's entirely a me thing rather than something the book does wrong.
🔥 Tropes & Elements
- Small-town romance
- Cozy fall vibes
- Family relationships
- Multiple POVs
🫶 Final Thoughts
A Fall to Remember is exactly what the title promises: warm, comforting, and filled with everything you could want from an autumn romance.
While I would've preferred fewer points of view and a stronger focus on Miranda and Jim's relationship, I still genuinely enjoyed my time in Half Moon Bay. The cozy atmosphere, lovable community, delicious food descriptions, and beautiful fall setting made this such an easy and enjoyable read.
It may not have been the most unique or emotionally memorable romance I've read, but it was charming, comforting, and perfect for getting into the autumn mood.
📖 Disclosure: Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There are some books that feel like stories, and then there are books that feel like a warm, familiar place you can step into for a few hours. A Fall to Remember sounds like exactly that kind of read for me. Give me a cozy small town, autumn leaves, apple cider, a little second-chance romance, and the kind of atmosphere that reminds me of Gilmore Girls, and I am already sold. Add a heroine who accidentally becomes an internet sensation because of her terrible travel photos, and I’m definitely curious.
What immediately caught my attention about Miranda Brown is that she doesn’t seem to be someone chasing fame or trying to reinvent herself. She simply wants a break from her responsibilities at The Green Grocer, the family market that has been part of Half Moon Bay for three generations. I really liked the idea of a heroine whose life is so deeply connected to her hometown. There is something incredibly comforting about characters who belong somewhere—not just geographically, but emotionally.
And then there is the wonderfully ridiculous way Miranda ends up becoming famous. Her spectacularly terrible travel photos going viral is such a fun premise. In a world where social media often rewards perfection, I love the idea of someone becoming popular precisely because her photos are imperfect and unintentionally funny. It gives the story a refreshing message about authenticity: sometimes what makes us memorable is exactly what we are trying to hide.
Of course, things become even more interesting when Jim Cole enters the picture.
A handsome man arriving to help Miranda cover the Fall Harvest Festival? Yes, please. The setup immediately gives me those classic cozy-romance feelings—the small town, the festival, the forced proximity, the autumn atmosphere, and two people slowly discovering that their connection might be more complicated than either of them expected.
What I especially appreciate about the romance is the question of authenticity at its center. Miranda has to wonder whether Jim genuinely likes her or whether she is simply another part of the marketing campaign. That conflict gives the romance something more meaningful than just chemistry. When someone's professional success depends on presenting you to the world in a certain way, it becomes difficult to know whether the person sees you or simply sees the version of you that works for their job.
And honestly, that sounds like something I would really enjoy exploring in a romance. The idea of being loved for your imperfect, unfiltered self is such a beautiful theme. Miranda's journey seems to be as much about learning to embrace who she is as it is about falling in love.
The autumn setting is another huge selling point for me. There is something about fall romances that automatically makes everything feel softer and more intimate. Golden leaves, apple cider, harvest festivals, cozy shops, chilly evenings, and small-town streets create the perfect backdrop for a slow-blooming romance. This sounds like the kind of book I would want to read curled up somewhere comfortable with a warm drink beside me.
What I think would make this story particularly enjoyable is the contrast between Miranda's ordinary, imperfect life and the unexpected attention she receives from the outside world. She isn't trying to become an influencer or a celebrity. She is simply living her life, and suddenly everyone is interested in her. That creates plenty of room for humor, awkward situations, romance, and perhaps a little self-discovery along the way.
I also appreciate that the story appears to have a heartwarming rather than overly dramatic emotional core. Sometimes I just want a romance that makes me smile, gives me butterflies, lets me fall in love with the characters, and leaves me with that warm feeling when I close the book. This sounds like one of those reads.
Overall, A Fall to Remember feels like the perfect autumn comfort read—cozy, romantic, funny, nostalgic, and centered around the idea that you don't have to become someone else to be worthy of love. Miranda's journey from accidentally viral travel photographer to someone questioning what is real in her relationship with Jim sounds like a charming one.
What immediately caught my attention about Miranda Brown is that she doesn’t seem to be someone chasing fame or trying to reinvent herself. She simply wants a break from her responsibilities at The Green Grocer, the family market that has been part of Half Moon Bay for three generations. I really liked the idea of a heroine whose life is so deeply connected to her hometown. There is something incredibly comforting about characters who belong somewhere—not just geographically, but emotionally.
And then there is the wonderfully ridiculous way Miranda ends up becoming famous. Her spectacularly terrible travel photos going viral is such a fun premise. In a world where social media often rewards perfection, I love the idea of someone becoming popular precisely because her photos are imperfect and unintentionally funny. It gives the story a refreshing message about authenticity: sometimes what makes us memorable is exactly what we are trying to hide.
Of course, things become even more interesting when Jim Cole enters the picture.
A handsome man arriving to help Miranda cover the Fall Harvest Festival? Yes, please. The setup immediately gives me those classic cozy-romance feelings—the small town, the festival, the forced proximity, the autumn atmosphere, and two people slowly discovering that their connection might be more complicated than either of them expected.
What I especially appreciate about the romance is the question of authenticity at its center. Miranda has to wonder whether Jim genuinely likes her or whether she is simply another part of the marketing campaign. That conflict gives the romance something more meaningful than just chemistry. When someone's professional success depends on presenting you to the world in a certain way, it becomes difficult to know whether the person sees you or simply sees the version of you that works for their job.
And honestly, that sounds like something I would really enjoy exploring in a romance. The idea of being loved for your imperfect, unfiltered self is such a beautiful theme. Miranda's journey seems to be as much about learning to embrace who she is as it is about falling in love.
The autumn setting is another huge selling point for me. There is something about fall romances that automatically makes everything feel softer and more intimate. Golden leaves, apple cider, harvest festivals, cozy shops, chilly evenings, and small-town streets create the perfect backdrop for a slow-blooming romance. This sounds like the kind of book I would want to read curled up somewhere comfortable with a warm drink beside me.
What I think would make this story particularly enjoyable is the contrast between Miranda's ordinary, imperfect life and the unexpected attention she receives from the outside world. She isn't trying to become an influencer or a celebrity. She is simply living her life, and suddenly everyone is interested in her. That creates plenty of room for humor, awkward situations, romance, and perhaps a little self-discovery along the way.
I also appreciate that the story appears to have a heartwarming rather than overly dramatic emotional core. Sometimes I just want a romance that makes me smile, gives me butterflies, lets me fall in love with the characters, and leaves me with that warm feeling when I close the book. This sounds like one of those reads.
Overall, A Fall to Remember feels like the perfect autumn comfort read—cozy, romantic, funny, nostalgic, and centered around the idea that you don't have to become someone else to be worthy of love. Miranda's journey from accidentally viral travel photographer to someone questioning what is real in her relationship with Jim sounds like a charming one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Storm Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, though there were moments that I thought were very wholesome and cute, I had to DNF this book 70% of the way in.
Let us first begin with what I really enjoyed. I thought that this book was very Gilmore Girls-esque with the mother and her 26 year old son both trying to find love in this very quaint fall town. I could practically hear the opening notes of "Where You Lead" and smell the pumpkin spice latte. Just like in the show, and in countless other fall books/tv shows/movies/etc some of the moments between this mother and son were very wholesome and sweet.
On the other hand, there was no mention of her son and his possibly budding relationship in the blurb of this book. This book is told from the perspective of Jim (the mom's love interest), Shelby (the son's love interest), Miranda (the mom), and Pete (the son). There was no mention of the arguably two other characters in the blurb, or that they would be undergoing their own romantic adventures, with their own POV's. While the inclusion of their point of view is an admirable attempt to create a full bodied town, it makes it very hard to experience the emotional depth and the "grey" that makes a characters well rounded. Unfortunately, it felt like in each chapter told from the perspective of the characters, we only got a glimpse of their "black or white" features that did not give me a chance to bond with them. It also meant that a lot of what they were going through was continuously repeated in each of their chapters which after a while failed to hit emotionally as one would want it too.
Lastly, while the descriptions of Half Moon Bay were gorgeous and truly idyllic enough that I would want to spend every fall day there, at times they were over stated. The lengthy beautiful description of each aspect of the town made a large impression on me the first time I read them, but I found myself glazing over the details as the book went on because they felt overstated, and as if the town was too perfect. This made it harder to appreciate the truly stunning environmental moments in the book because I felt swamped with details that they no longer felt as important.
Overall, I think it was a beautiful tribute to what I'm sure is a picturesque town with a wonderful mother and son relationship who are both just trying to find love. I think with a few less details about the scenery, revising the blurb, and allowing more dimension of the characters to bleed through, this book would be a 5 star read for me.
Unfortunately, though there were moments that I thought were very wholesome and cute, I had to DNF this book 70% of the way in.
Let us first begin with what I really enjoyed. I thought that this book was very Gilmore Girls-esque with the mother and her 26 year old son both trying to find love in this very quaint fall town. I could practically hear the opening notes of "Where You Lead" and smell the pumpkin spice latte. Just like in the show, and in countless other fall books/tv shows/movies/etc some of the moments between this mother and son were very wholesome and sweet.
On the other hand, there was no mention of her son and his possibly budding relationship in the blurb of this book. This book is told from the perspective of Jim (the mom's love interest), Shelby (the son's love interest), Miranda (the mom), and Pete (the son). There was no mention of the arguably two other characters in the blurb, or that they would be undergoing their own romantic adventures, with their own POV's. While the inclusion of their point of view is an admirable attempt to create a full bodied town, it makes it very hard to experience the emotional depth and the "grey" that makes a characters well rounded. Unfortunately, it felt like in each chapter told from the perspective of the characters, we only got a glimpse of their "black or white" features that did not give me a chance to bond with them. It also meant that a lot of what they were going through was continuously repeated in each of their chapters which after a while failed to hit emotionally as one would want it too.
Lastly, while the descriptions of Half Moon Bay were gorgeous and truly idyllic enough that I would want to spend every fall day there, at times they were over stated. The lengthy beautiful description of each aspect of the town made a large impression on me the first time I read them, but I found myself glazing over the details as the book went on because they felt overstated, and as if the town was too perfect. This made it harder to appreciate the truly stunning environmental moments in the book because I felt swamped with details that they no longer felt as important.
Overall, I think it was a beautiful tribute to what I'm sure is a picturesque town with a wonderful mother and son relationship who are both just trying to find love. I think with a few less details about the scenery, revising the blurb, and allowing more dimension of the characters to bleed through, this book would be a 5 star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
---- 🌲 ----
This cosy and endearing story is the perfect book to start your autumn time with.
---- 🌛 ----
Recommendation: If you love cosy atmospheres, small towns and big characters you'll love this. For fans of: The Pumpkin Spiced Cafe, The Queen's Cove series, Gilmore girls and any book by Hannah Bonam-Young.
The Vibes: Small towns, cosy autumn, close-knit communities and big events
Tropes:
📱 Fake Dating
☎️ Miscommunication
🏡 Small Town Romance
🫂 Single Parent
💗 Insta Love
☁️ Fluff
---- 🕯 ----
What worked for me?
• Short Chapters. I love me some short chapters in a book and this was perfect. Every chapter was short [but not too short] so I was left wanting to keep reading each time
• The Setting. This book felt like I was in Stars Hallow. It was so cosy, warm and delightful, I loved it.
• The Characters. Each character felt so fleshed out that it felt real and not forced.
• The Perspective. This book was told in third person which worked super well. You get to experience the book through all 4 people, but as it was third person it wasn't confusing.
What didn't work for me?
• The Timeline. In this book we are following 4 characters, and 2 romance stories. Their timelines played out exactly the same, so if one thing happened to couple A, you know they'd happen to couple B in the next chapter. This left the book feeling really repetitive.
• The Perspectives. Having all 4 perspectives at once felt like a lot. They're very different characters, but you would read person A's perspective and think person B is mean, then go to person B's perceptive and it would swap. Plus trying to keep up with 4 intentions, characters and stories in one short book was a lot.
• The Wording. For the post part the writing was good, well-written and clear, however there was one point in particular with a poor word choice which stood out to me. Whilst trying to describe a nervous habit or stim, they used the word "tic". I felt like a better word could've been used here to describe what was happening better as there was no other point in the story where this character expressed any signs of having tics.
---- 🦇 ----
Instagram
Tiktok
---- 🏰 ----
⚠️ Content Warnings ⚠️
Spice Level: PG, the most that happened was a kiss.
Major: Anxiety, debt, family issues
Minor: Gambling
---- 🌲 ----
This cosy and endearing story is the perfect book to start your autumn time with.
---- 🌛 ----
Recommendation: If you love cosy atmospheres, small towns and big characters you'll love this. For fans of: The Pumpkin Spiced Cafe, The Queen's Cove series, Gilmore girls and any book by Hannah Bonam-Young.
The Vibes: Small towns, cosy autumn, close-knit communities and big events
Tropes:
📱 Fake Dating
☎️ Miscommunication
🏡 Small Town Romance
🫂 Single Parent
💗 Insta Love
☁️ Fluff
---- 🕯 ----
What worked for me?
• Short Chapters. I love me some short chapters in a book and this was perfect. Every chapter was short [but not too short] so I was left wanting to keep reading each time
• The Setting. This book felt like I was in Stars Hallow. It was so cosy, warm and delightful, I loved it.
• The Characters. Each character felt so fleshed out that it felt real and not forced.
• The Perspective. This book was told in third person which worked super well. You get to experience the book through all 4 people, but as it was third person it wasn't confusing.
What didn't work for me?
• The Timeline. In this book we are following 4 characters, and 2 romance stories. Their timelines played out exactly the same, so if one thing happened to couple A, you know they'd happen to couple B in the next chapter. This left the book feeling really repetitive.
• The Perspectives. Having all 4 perspectives at once felt like a lot. They're very different characters, but you would read person A's perspective and think person B is mean, then go to person B's perceptive and it would swap. Plus trying to keep up with 4 intentions, characters and stories in one short book was a lot.
• The Wording. For the post part the writing was good, well-written and clear, however there was one point in particular with a poor word choice which stood out to me. Whilst trying to describe a nervous habit or stim, they used the word "tic". I felt like a better word could've been used here to describe what was happening better as there was no other point in the story where this character expressed any signs of having tics.
---- 🦇 ----
Tiktok
---- 🏰 ----
⚠️ Content Warnings ⚠️
Spice Level: PG, the most that happened was a kiss.
Major: Anxiety, debt, family issues
Minor: Gambling
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: A Fall to Remember
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: Half Moon Bay #1
Publisher: Storm Publishers
Genre: Cozy Romance
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages: 294
I am an Ellie Alexander fan. I love mysteries and the ‘The Secret Staircase’ series was great! I read all of them including the new spin off series ‘Novel Detectives Mystery’. I am not a foody but I also enjoyed the ‘The Bakeshop Mysteries’. So yes! I am pleased to start another series with Ms. Alexander.
Having visited Half Moon Bay, I was sure this was going to be a fun read.
If you are a reader who loves a small-town cozy setting, an autumn setting, and second-chance romance, find your comfy reading spot and curl up with A Fall to Remember.
Story starts with Miranda Brown, a forty-eight-year-old mother of twenty-something Pete and runs a boutique grocery store & deli called ‘The Green Grocer’ in Half Moon Bay, California. She hasn’t been on vacation in years and decided a 3-day getaway to Catalina Island is perfect.
She never meant to become famous; just wanted a quiet restful vacation. However, since she is known to take the worst pictures, her son Pete and niece Elsa decide to post her terrible travel photos which includes several of her feet with blue nail polish. Well, the travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her and showcase the event.
Shelby Bowerson is a specialist for partner communications and wants to highlight the festival as well as charms of Half Moon via Miranda.
Whereas Jim wants to showcase it via imperfect photos.
Shelby and Jim finally collaborate, and things are going well with the various activities.
We follow them through the activities and find we are ready to head to there to join in all the fun.
This was a fun ‘stress free’ enjoyable read for me!
Although I am not a big romance fan I do love when the relationship is sweet so would like more time with Jim and Miranda.
Which appears that will happen in the next book!
There is a comment about wanting- more spark, more slow-burn sweetness and more happily ever afters.
So don’t miss the next one.
I want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishers Books for this fun eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 1, 2026.
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: Half Moon Bay #1
Publisher: Storm Publishers
Genre: Cozy Romance
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages: 294
I am an Ellie Alexander fan. I love mysteries and the ‘The Secret Staircase’ series was great! I read all of them including the new spin off series ‘Novel Detectives Mystery’. I am not a foody but I also enjoyed the ‘The Bakeshop Mysteries’. So yes! I am pleased to start another series with Ms. Alexander.
Having visited Half Moon Bay, I was sure this was going to be a fun read.
If you are a reader who loves a small-town cozy setting, an autumn setting, and second-chance romance, find your comfy reading spot and curl up with A Fall to Remember.
Story starts with Miranda Brown, a forty-eight-year-old mother of twenty-something Pete and runs a boutique grocery store & deli called ‘The Green Grocer’ in Half Moon Bay, California. She hasn’t been on vacation in years and decided a 3-day getaway to Catalina Island is perfect.
She never meant to become famous; just wanted a quiet restful vacation. However, since she is known to take the worst pictures, her son Pete and niece Elsa decide to post her terrible travel photos which includes several of her feet with blue nail polish. Well, the travel photos go viral, Miranda becomes an unlikely internet sensation.
Now a major travel company wants her to cover her hometown's beloved Fall Harvest Festival, sending the charming (and undeniably handsome) Jim Cole to help capture her and showcase the event.
Shelby Bowerson is a specialist for partner communications and wants to highlight the festival as well as charms of Half Moon via Miranda.
Whereas Jim wants to showcase it via imperfect photos.
Shelby and Jim finally collaborate, and things are going well with the various activities.
We follow them through the activities and find we are ready to head to there to join in all the fun.
This was a fun ‘stress free’ enjoyable read for me!
Although I am not a big romance fan I do love when the relationship is sweet so would like more time with Jim and Miranda.
Which appears that will happen in the next book!
There is a comment about wanting- more spark, more slow-burn sweetness and more happily ever afters.
So don’t miss the next one.
I want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishers Books for this fun eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 1, 2026.
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